Wire wrapping tool



y 1966 J. ZOLTAI 3,250,302

WIRE WRAPPING TOOL Filed Oct. 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR John Zo/fa/ oiame, QZQQm ZDLm/nm ATTORNEYS y 0, 1966 J. ZOLTAI 3,250,302

WIRE WRAPPING TOOL cat. 21, 3 sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

' I02 96 i i g 1 HO 3 94 INVENTCR John Zo/fai BY fame, m fimfg j EYS J. ZOLTAI WIRE WRAPPING TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 5' INVENTOR John Zo/fai MSW f mwm May 10, 1966 Filed Oct. 21, 1963 United States Patent G 3,250,302 WIRE WRAPPING TOOL John Zoltai, 100 Artist Road, Santa Fe, N. Mex. Filed Oct. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 317,411 18 Claims. (Cl. Mil-124) This invention relates to wire wrapping tools, and more particularly it concerns a tool for applying wire leads to terminal posts employed in electric and electronic devices. M

In the manufacture of various electrical or electronic equipment, the assembly of wire leads to terminal posts quite commonly involves the very tedious and time-consuming procedure of individually wrapping a lead wire on a terminal post to establish at least a partial mechanical connection prior to soldering. The wrappingof the lead wires in this manner involves a number of problems. For example, because of the small size and delicate nature of the terminal post, to say nothing of the limited work space available in many situations, it is extremely difficult to wrap the lead wire without damaging the terminal post by stresses developed during the lead wire wrapping operation. Also, in many situations, it is essential that the length of the lead wire contacting the terminal post be held within pre-established limits because of specifications governing the mechanical and/ or electrical characteristics of the connection. Although the problems presented by such requirements might be overcome by precutting the length of the lead wire so that it will engage the desired portion of the terminal post periphery, other factors such as the position of the component from which the lead wire extends make such a precutting procedure impractical. On the other hand, where the wire is first Wrapped about the terminal post and then the free end thereof severed or cut to effect the desired amount of engagement with the terminal post periphery the problems incident to terminal post damage are again presented. In addition, this procedure commonly results in the cut portion of the wire separating from the terminal post to effect an unsatisfactory connection. Although many diverse types of tools have been employed in the past to overcome these problems, they have at best offered only a partial solution.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a tool by which the problems heretofore experienced in applying lead wires to terminal posts during the assembly of electrical or electronic apparatus are elfectively and substantially overcome.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the type referred to which is extremely effective for the intended purpose of wrapping lead wires on terminal posts and yet which involves a minimum of component parts, is economical to manufacture, and which is very simply adjusted and operated by a person of ordinary dexterity and skills.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a wire wrapping and cutting tool for applying lead wires to terminal posts in which the portion of terminal post against which the lead is wrapped may be simply and accurately controlled by a simple adjustment of the tool.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the type referred to with means for cutting the free unwrapped end of a terminal lead cleanly and accurately without in any way endangering the terminal post or tending in any way to separate the wrapped lead wire portion from the terminal post during the cutting operation.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a manually operated wire wrapping and cutting tool capable of being easily held in one hand and operable to complete wrapping and cutting operations by a single movement of the tool portions held in the users one hand.

ice

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wire wrapping and cutting tool of the type referred to with an improved wrapping and cutting head by which a lead wire may be firmly and completely engaged about a predetermined portion of a terminal post periphery.

In general, the aforementioned objectives are accomplished by a tool having a wire wrapping and cutting head so arranged that a lead wire may be wrapped about a predetermined portion of a terminal post periphery and the free end of the lead wire cut closely adjacent the wrapped portion thereof on the terminal post in one continuous operation. This operation is effected by a generally tubular wrapping'member having an open end to be received on the terminal post and a lead wire receiving opening in the wall thereof shaped on at least one side to define a cuttitng edge. A pin member is positioned in the tubular member and movable relative thereto. The pin member has a terminal post receiving socket formed in its end as well as another cutting edge cooperable in shearing relation with the cutting edge on the tubular member. A drivemechanism is coupled with a movable handle means in such a manner that during the first portion of handle movement, the tubular member is rotated about the terminal post to wrap the lead wire. Upon further movement of the handle means, relative movement betwen the pin member and the tubular member occurs, bringing together the respective cutting edges to sever the free end portion of the lead. Although various types of drive devices are possible, preferably a helical cam member is employed together with pivotal handle members. The cam member is shaped to eifect the sequence referred to, Le, initial wrapping by rotation of the wrapping head followed by relative movement between the tubular member and the guide member to effect the cutting operation. In this manner, the degree of wrap desired may be adjusted merely by an adjustable limit stop arranged to vary the distance through which the handles may be moved.

A more complete understanding of the present invention, as well as an appreciation of further objects and scope of applicability may be had from the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one form of the wrapping and cutting tool of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken centrally through the tool illustrated in FIG. 1 ready for use;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tool illustrated in FIG. 2 but showing the tool with the components in the position at the end of a wrapping and cutting cycle;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in cross-section illustrating the wrapping and cutting head of the tool of FIGS. 1 to 4 in position on a terminal post to be wrapped by a lead;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating an alternative form of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-section taken axially of I the tool'illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the working end of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7; i FIGS. 9, l0 and 11 are cross-sectional views taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 6 illustrating successive positions of the components of the alternative embodiment during a wire wrapping andcutting operation;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8; and

FIG. 13 is a cross-section taken along line 1313 of FIG. 12.

In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the wire wrapping and cutting tool of this invention includes a tubular housing having a cylindrical bore 12 with an opening 14 of reduced diameter at its lower end to define an upwardly facing annular shoulder 16. The housing 10 is adapted to be supported by handle means including a fixed handle member 18 formed integrally or otherwise suitably secured to the housing exterior along the length thereof by flange portions 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion of the handle 18 adjacent the housing is cut out at 21 for reasons which will become apparent from the description following below. The handle means also includes a movable handle member 22 received between the flange portions of the fixed handle and secured for pivotal movement by a pin 24 extending through the movable handle and flange portions of the fixed handle. A spring 26 having a pair .of arms 28 operates to bias the handles to the position shown in FIG. 2 such that their outer ends are normally spread apart but may be moved toward one another by grasping with one hand. The inner end of the movable handle 22 is formed with a ferrule 30 for mounting one end of a drive pin 32, the other end of which extends through a guide slot 34 in the housing 10 and terminates generally at the central portion of the housing bore 12.

Positioned within the bore 12 of the housing is a tubular cam member 36 of cylindrical configuration and having a helical cam groove 38 terminating at its lower end in an axial groove or slot 40. The lower portion of the cam member 36 is formed with a tubular extension 42 having a central bore 43. The extension is of reduced diameter so as to project through the lower opening 14 in the housing and also to define a bearing shoulder 44 seated on the annular ledge 16 to prevent axial downward movement of the cam member with respect to the housing 10. For reasons which will become more apparent from the description following below, it will be appreciated that because of the arrangement of the cam member 36 within the bore 12 of the housing, movement of the outer end of the handle member 22 toward the fixed handle member 18 to effect pivotal movement about the pin 24 will cause the drive pin 32 to move downwardly in the housing slot 34 and also in the cam slot 38. Because of the cam slot configuration, this downward movement of thedrive pin 32 will result in rotation of the cam member 36 during travel of the drive pin through the helical portion of the cam groove 38 and permit further downward movement of the drive pin 32 without cam rotation when the drive pin reaches the axial slot portion of the cam groove.

The amount of movement permitted the drive pin 32 and correspondingly, the length of the cam groove 38 presented thereto, is rendered adjustable by a cap mem ber 46 having a skirt 48 received about the upper portion of the housing 10. The cap member 46 is adjustably secured for rotation with respect to the housing 10 by a set screw 50 in the skirt 48 receivable against the bottom of a circumferential groove 52 formed near the upper end of the housing. In the embodiment shown, the skirt 48 is provided with three, stepped or axially spaced stop ledges 54, 56 and 58, respectively. It will thus be apparent that the amount of upward travel permitted the drive pin 32 will depend on which of the ledges 54, 56 or 58 is positioned over the upper portion of the guide slot 34. In the embodiment shown, the axial spacing of the ledges together with the pitch of the helical cam groove 38 are selected such that when the ledge 54 is positioned over the drive pin 32, the cam member 38 will be rotated through one full turn or 360 by movement of the drive pin from its initial position to its final position at the lower end of the housing slot 34; through seven-eighths of one turn when the ledge 56 is positioned over the drive pin 32 or is aligned with the housing slot 34; and through three-quarters of a turn when the ledge 58 is so positioned. It will be appreciated that the specific arrangement shown in the drawings can be varied to afford a multitude of different angles through which the cam member 36 may be turned by movement of the drive pin 32. Also, suitable indicia such as that indicated at 60 and 62 may be provided on the housing 10 and skirt 48 to aid in the selection of the proper stop ledge to be used.

' slots 72 formed in the upper end of the body portion 66. The slots 70 correspond to the ledges 54 56 and 58 so that the head 64 may be adjusted to the same initial or starting position regardless of the angular disposition of the cam member 36 as governed by the stop ledges aforementioned.

The body portion 66 of the head 64 is provided with a central bore 74 communicating at its upper end with the bore 43 of the extension 42 and at its lower end with a bore 76 in a tubular working portion 78. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 a guide and cutoff pin member, generally designated by the reference numeral 80, is disposed within the head 64 and provided with a plunger portion 82 slidably receivable in the bore 74. The plunger 82 is engaged at its lower side by one end of a helical compression spring 84, the other end of which abuts against the bottom of the bore 74. A spring guide portion 86 having a shoulder 88 at its lower end restricts downward movement of the pin by engagement with the lower end of the bore 74. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the upper end of the pin 80 extends through the bore 43 of the cam extension 42 as an actuator portion 89 which terminates within the cam member 36 at a point above the bottom of the axial slot portion 40 of the cam slot 38. The precise location of the actuator portion 89 at the upper end of the pin 80 is selected so that it will be engaged by the drive pin 32 during the final portions of its downward travel to move the pin downwardly until the shoulder 88 engages the bottom of the bore 74.

A more complete understanding of the working portion 78 of the head 64 may be had by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3 thereof. As mentioned above, the body portion of the head 64 terminates at its lower end in a tubular working portion 78 having a central bore 76 extending therethrough establishing an open end to be received about a terminal post to be wrapped with a lead wire. Also, it will be noted that the guide and cutting pin 80 has formed on its lower end, a working bit portion 90 slidably receivable within the bore 76. As shown in FIG. 4, the bit 90 is formed having an axially disposed socket 92 for receiving the upper end of a terminal post 94 about which a wire lead 96 having a free or extending end 98 is to be wrapped. The portion of the bit about the socket 92 is shaped to define an annular cutting edge 100 converging at the bit periphery. The tubular working portion 78 is provided with a depending wall portion 102 having an opening at its leading edge 104 in the form of a cutout to define a radius tab 106 and a lead supporting ledge 108 beveled outwardly to define a cutting edge 110 converging at the inner surface of the wall portion 102. Thus it will be seen that the radius tab 106 is eccentric with respect to the socket 9 2 to provide leverage about the axis of tool rotation, in this instance, aligned by the socket with the axis of the terminal post. It will be appreciated also, that both cutting edges 100 and 110 converge at substantially the same cylindrical reference surface and thus cooperate in shearing relation.

In use, the wrapping and cutting tool shown in FIGS.

1-5 is first adjusted by unthreading the set screw 50 in the cap 46 and turning the cap until the desired one of the ledges 54, 56 or 58 is aligned with the guide slot 34 in the housing to limit the uppermost position of the drive pin 32, and to establish the initial angular position of the cam member 36. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the ledge 54 is positioned above the slot 34 and the pin 32 so that movement of the drive pin 32 from its upper position throughout the length of the helical cam groove 38 will effect one complete rotation of the cam member 36. Also it will be noted that this fact is indicated by the indica 60 and 62. After so adjusting the cap 46 the set screw is again tightened against the bottom of the groove 52 to secure the cap in its adjusted position. Also, the set screw 68 in the wrapping head is withdrawn to facilitate rotational orientation of the wrapping head 64 with respect to the tubular extension 42 of the cam member 36. As above indicated, this procedure is facilitated by the pin 70 and slots 72 in the head 64. This latter adjustment assures that the starting point of the wrapping head will be oriented the same with respect to the tool handle regardless of the angle of turn intended.

Having adjusted the tool in the manner aforementioned, the working end of the head 64 is placed on a terminal post such at the post 94 illustrated in FIG. 4 so that theaxis of the head is aligned with the terminal post. In this position, the upper end of the terminal post is received within the open end of the tubular working portion 78 and also within the socket 92 of the bit portion 90. With the lead wire 96 having been positioned on the ledge 108 of the depending wall portion-102, the movable handle member 22 is moved upwardly against the fixed handle 18. Correspondingly, the drive pin 32 is moved downwardly, guided by the slot 34 and within the cam slot 38, causing rotation of the cam member 36 through one complete turn by virtue of the setting of the cap 46 as described. Since the wrapping head is secured for rotation with the cam member, the depending wall portion 102 and the radius tab 106 thereon will move against the free or extending end of the lead wire and wrap it about the terminal post 94. At this point it should be noted that the shape of the radius tab 1% assures that the wire will be pulled firmly against the terminal post to effect a firm mechanical connection between the lead wire and-terminal post. This feature is particularly significant where the terminal posts are arranged very close to one another, thus giving rise to the possibility that the free end 98 of the lead wire will become engaged on an adjacent terminal post to be doubled back against the radius member 1136. Because of the smooth surface presented to the wire by the radius membre 106, the damages resulting from severly cold working the wire lead are eliminated.

When the drive pin 32 reaches the axial slot 40 in the cam member 36, rotation ceases and further downward movement of the drive pin is permitted. Upon such further downward movement, the drive pin engages the .actuator end 89 of the pin to move it downwardly against the bias of spring 84 until the shoulder 76 engages the lower end of the bore '74. During this down ward movement of the pin 81), the cutting edge about the socket 92 moves against the wrapped wire and cooperates with the cutting edge 110 on the ledge 108 to shear the free end 98 of the lead 96.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 through 13, the hous ing, handle means, cam member and related components remain the same as the embodiment described above. In this embodiment, however, the structures of the wrapping and cutting head, the guide and cutting pin, as well as the end of the tubular working portion are modified so that the extending end portion of a lead to be applied to a terminal post may be cut by relative rotation between the pin and the tubular working portion rather than by relative reciprocation of these members as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, Hence, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the guide and cutoff pin member is of twopart construction including an upper force transmitting part generally designated at 112 and a lower working part 114. The force transmitting part 112 is shaped generally the same as the upper portion of the pin 80 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 to include an actuator portion 116 projecting upwardly within the bore 43 to be engaged by the drive pin 32 during the terminal portion of its downward travel and a plunger portion 118 slidably received within the bore 74a of the head 64a. A follower pin 120 secured to the plunger 118 projects outwardly of the bore 74 to be engaged by cam slot 122 formed in the body portion 66a of the head 64a. In the form shown, the slot 122 is disposed at an angle and is of sufiicient length so that as the force transmission part 112 is moved downwardly by the drive pin 32, engagement of the pin 120 within the cam slot 122 will effect rotation of the part 112 through approximately 1 of a turn or 90. Depending from the plunger 113 is a tubular portion 124 for telescopically receiving the upper end of the working part 114. An axial slot 126 in the portion 124 slidably receives a pin 130 in the working part 114 so that the working part 114 is caused to rotate with the force transmitting part 112 during relative reciprocation with respect thereto. Further, and as shown in FIG. 7, the working part 114 is provided with a flange 132 to restrict downward movement with respect to the tubular working portion 78a. A helical spring 134 abutting the flange 132 on one end and the plunger 118 at the other end resiliently biases the par-ts 112 and 114 away from each other.

A more complete understanding of the working part 114 as well as the lower end of the tubular working portion 78a may be had by reference to FIGS. 8 through .13. As shown in FIG. 8 for example, the lower end of the tubular working portion 78a is formed having a pair of openings 136 extending from the radial end face 140 of the working portion 78a. From the description to follow below, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that although it is preferable in many instances that the opening 136 extend to the radial end face 140 as in the form illustrated in FIG. 8 for example, it may be desirable in some applications to have the opening 136 formed as a hole in the tubular portion 78a spaced slightly from the end face 140. The/tubular portion 78a is formed with a thickened wall portion 142 shaped to effect a smoothly curved surface 144 operable in the same manner as the radius member 106 in the previous embodiment to wrap a-lead wire about a terminal upon rotation of the tubular member 78a in the direction to which the curved surface 144 is presented. The edge of the opening 136 opposite from the curved surface 144 is shaped to define a cutting edge 146 converging with the surface of the bore 76a within the tubular member 78a. The opening 138 is formed with an edge 148 extending to intersect the radial face 140 substantially perpendicularly at a corner 150. The other edge 151 of the opening 138 is curved as it meets with the radial face 140 to eifect a carruning portion 15?. for reasons which will become apparent from the description following below.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 through 13, the work ing part 114 of the cutting pin is formed with an extension 154 having a planar inner surface 156 and a cylindrical outer surface 158 converging to define a cutting edge 160 cooperable in shearing relation with the cutting edge 146 upon relative rotation between the tubular portion 78a and the working part 114. Also, as shown in FIGS. 9-41 and 13, the lower end of the working part 114is formed with a terminal receiving socket 162. In this embodiment, the axial center of the socket 162, designated at 164 in FIG. 13 is offset slightly from the axial center 166 of the working part 114 and thus of the tubular portion 7 8a to accommodate the extension 154.

An understanding of the operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-13 may be had by reference specifi cally to FIGS. 9-12. The preliminary adjustments to the drive mechanism are identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 so that the parts are initially arranged as shown in FIG. 9 with the lead 96a extending through the opening 138 along one side of the terminal post 154 of the part 114 being positioned adjacent the curved surface 144.

Upon actuation of the handles in the manner described above to effect downward travel of the drive pin 32, the tubular portion 78a will be rotated to wrap the lead wire about the terminal post by virtue of the surface 144 coming into engagement therewith. In this instance, because of the cam surface 132 in the opening 138 the lead 96a on the end attached to a component will be cammed downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 12 thus causing the terminal end 98a, as it is wrapped to develop a helix with a pitch sufficiently great to effect separation of the turns. Then, as the drive pin 32 reaches the slot 40 in the cam member 36, rotation of the tubular member ceases and the force transmission part 114 is moved downwardly to be rotated by engagement of the pin 120 in the cam slot 122. Since at this point the tubular portion 78a remains stationary and the working part 114 rotates, the cutting edge 160 of the extension 164 will be brought toward the edge 146 to shear the extending end portion 98a of the lead as shown in FIG. Also, the planar surface 156 is brought against the wrapped portion of the wire to add an additional A turn to the wrapping and to coil the wrapped portion of the lead wire firmly against the terminal post.

After the lead wire has been wrapped in the manner aforementioned about the terminal post 94a, the tool is pressed downwardly on the terminal post thereby bringing the lead 96a into the slot 138, and a slight reverse rotation is manually applied to the tool. This movement will cause the edge 148 to bend the lead 96a slightly as shown in FIG. 11 for purposes of having the lead axis intersect the axis of the terminal post 94. This is important in many applications where specifications require that the components be aligned between terminals rather than aligned with tangents to the terminal post as may be appreciated by comparison between FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings. Hence, it will be seen that this additional feature is made possible by the construction of the 'alternative embodiment of FIG. 6 through 13.

Thus, it becomes apparent that the tool of the present invention effects in a single, continuous cycle, complete wrapping and trimming of a lead wire about a terminal post without in any manner stressing the terminal post since the forces required to effect the wrapping and cutting operation are restricted to the tool itself. Moreover, the time requirements as well as the quality control permitted by the tool of this invention are vastly superior to those previously experienced where the lead was first wrapped and then severed by different tools.

Since many variations of the wrapping and cutting tool of this invention are possible, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of preferred embodiments only, not limiting, and that the true spirit and scope of the present invention are to be determined by the appended claims.

The invention clairned is:

1. A tool for applying leads to terminal posts comprising:

a housing, lead wrapping means including a head mounted in said housing for rotation relative thereto, said head having a tubular working portion with an open end adapted to be positioned over a terminal post to which a lead is to be applied and a lead engaging port1on near said open end, means for rotating said head and said working portion to wrap the lead about the terminal post,

and means to adjust the angle through which said head and said working portion are rotated, said means for rotating said head and working portion including a rotatable cam member having a helical cam surface, said cam member being positioned in said housing, drive means engageable with said cam surface and movable axially of said cam to impart rotation thereto, and said means to adjust the angle of head rotation including adjustable stop means for limiting the axial movement of said drive means.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said adjustable stop means includes a skirt defining axially spaced ledges, said skirt being rotatable to position said ledges respectively in the path of said drive means.

3. In a tool for applying a lead to a terminal post, a Wire wrapping and cutting head comprising: a rotatable tubular member having an open end to be positioned over a terminal post, the wall of said tubular member having an opening therein to receive the free end of the lead, said opening having a radius portion adjacent an edge thereof facing in the direction of tubular member rotation and a first cutting edge, said radius portion being operable to wrap the free end of the lead about the terminal post upon rotation of said tubular member, and means defining a second cutting edge positioned within said tubular member and movable with respect to said first cutting edge independently of rotation of said rotatable member to Wrap the lead about the terminal post,

' said cutting edges being cooperable to sever the unwrapped free end portion of the lead received in said opening.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein said opening has a lower edge adjacent said radius portion to de fine said first cutting edge and wherein said last-mentioned means is reciprocable relative to said tubular member to effect relative axial movement of said cutting edges.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein said first cutting edge is positioned on the side of said opening opposite from said radius portion and wherein said lastmentioned means is rotatable relative to said tubular member to effect relative angular movement of said cutting edges,

6. The apparatus recited in claim 3 including means on said tubular member to bend the lead after it is wrapped about the terminal post and cut so that the lead may be aligned with the terminal post.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein said bending means includes a slot in the wall of said tubular member extending from the open end thereof and spaced from said opening, said slot having axially extending opposite edges, the edge-of said slot facing in the direction of tubular member rotation being curved to define a cam portion and the other of said edges being engageable with the lead upon the reverse rotation of said tubular member.

8. In a tool for applying a lead to a terminal post, a wire wrapping and cutting head comprising: a tubular member to be rotated about the axis of the terminal post,

a pin member movably positioned in said tubular member for relative axial movement with respect to said tubular member between first and second positions, said pin member having an axial socket in an end thereof for receiving the terminal post and an annular cutting edge at said end about said socket, said tubular member having a wall portion provided with a cutout to receive the lead and a cutting edge spaced beyond the cutting edge on said pin member when in said first position whereby a lead received in said cutout may be Wrapped about a terminal post received in said socket by rotation of said tubular member when said pin member is in said first position and the unwrapped extending end portion of the lead severed by axial movement of said members to said second position to bring said cutting edges together on the lead in shearing relation.

9. A tool for applying leads to terminals comprising: a housing, handle means including a fixed handle member on said housing and a movable handle member mounted for movement with respect-to said fixed handle member, a lead wrapping and cutting head extending from said housing, said head including a tubular member to be rotated about a terminal post and having a wall portion provided with an opening to receive a lead to be applied to the terminal post, a pin member movably positioned in said tubular member for relative movement with respect to said tubular member and said housing, said opening and said pin member having cooperable cutting edges adapted to cut the lead upon relative movement of said members, and force transmitting means in said housing interconnecting said movable handle member with said wrapping and cutting head to effect rotation of said tubular member followed by movement of said pin member relative both to said housing and said tubular member upon relative movement of said handle members to first wrap and then cut the unwrapped free end portion of the lead.

10. A tool for applying leads to terminal posts comprising: a housing having a cylindrical bore therein, a fixed handle member on said housing extending generally normal to the axis of said bore, a movable handle member pivotally mounted on said fixed handle member, a drive pin extending from said movable handle member into said cylindrical bore, means guiding said drive pin for movement longitudinally of said bore upon pivotal movement of said movable handle member, a rotatable cam member in said bore having a helical cam surface engageable by said drive pin, a lead wrapping and cutting head connected to one end of said cam member and extending from said housing along the axis of said bore, said head including a tubular working portion with an end to be rotatably positioned over a terminal post, the wall of said tubular working portion having an opening near said end to receive the lead to be applied to the terminal post, said opening defining a first cutting edge along one side thereof, pin means defining a second cuttingedge, said pin means being movable relative to said tubular working portion and extending into the path of said drive pin for engagement thereby during the end portion of its travel.

11. The apparatus recited in claim wherein said drive pin guiding means is a slot in said housing extending axially of said cylindrical bore and including adjustable stop means positionable over said slot for limiting the length of drive pin travel and thus the angular extent of rotation imparted to said cam member by said drive pin.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 11 wherein said stop means is a cap member adjustably secured for rotation on the end of said housing opposite to the end from which said head extends, said cap member including a stepped skirt portion to cover an end portion of said guide slot.

13. The apparatus recited in claim 12 wherein said head is adjustably secured to said cam member for relative rotation between positions corresponding to the positions of said cap member.

14. The apparatus recited in claim 10 including a cylindrical tube defining said cam member, and having a helical slot in the wall thereof to define said cam surface, said pin means having an actuator end portion extending axially within said cam member, and said drive pin extending through said helical slot to be engageable with said actuator end portion.

15. The apparatus recited in claim 14 in which said helical cam slot terminates in an axial slot portion toward the end of said cam member connected to said wrapping and cutting head.

16. The apparatus recited in claim 10' wherein said pin means includes a force transmitting part engageable by said drive pin and a working part, and including means for rotating said force transmitting part and said working part upon reciprocation of said force transmitting part.

17. The apparatus recited in claim 16 in which said means for rotating said parts includes a cam surface in said head and a radial pin on said force transmitting part engageable with said cam surface.

18. The apparatus recited in claim 17 in which said working part is restrained against reciprocation relative to said head.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,507,059 5/1950 Surnan 123 2,585,010 2/1952 Hickman et al 140-124 2,7 60,73 1 8 1956 Belek 242-7 2,955,769 10/ 1960 Boswell et al. 140*124 RICHARD J. HERBST, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES W. LANHAM, Examiner.

L. A. LARSON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TOOL FOR APPLYING LEADS TO TERMINAL POSTS COMPRISING: A HOUSING, LEAD WRAPPING MEANS INCLUDING A HEAD MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING FOR ROTATION RELATIVE THERETO, SAID HEAD HAVING A TUBULAR WORKING PORTION WITH AN OPEN END ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED OVER A TERMINAL POST TO WHICH A LEAD IS TO BE APPLIED AND A LEAD ENGAGING PORTION NEAR SAID OPEN END, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID HEAD AND SAID WORKING PORTION TO WRAP THE LEAD ABOUT THE TERMINAL POST, AND MEANS TO ADJUST THE ANGLE THROUGH WHICH SAID HEAD AND SAID WOKING PORTION ARE ROTATED, SAID MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID HEAD AND WORKING PORTION INCLUDING A ROTATABLE CAM MEMBER HAVING A HELICAL CAM SURFACE, SAID CAM MEMBER BEING POSITIONED IN SAID HOUSING, DRIVE MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID CAM SURFACE AND MOVABLE AXIALLY OF SAID CAM TO IMPART ROTATION THERETO, AND SAID MEANS TO ADJUST THE ANGLE OF HEAD ROTATION INCLUDING ADJUSTABLE STOP MEANS FOR LIMITING THE AXIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID DRIVE MEANS. 